NHS worker Juliette’s boosts new cancer unit appeal

By day, Juliette Brookfield works at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust as business manager for cancer services.

She has been instrumental in helping to draw up the plans for Burnley General Hospital’s new £200,000 state-of-the-art chemotherapy unit, which is set to open next spring.

Rosemere Logo

In her free time, Juliette runs. And with the launch of the Rosemere Burnley Chemotherapy Unit Appeal to raise half of the total cost of the new world class unit, she has been able to do some “homework” by completing a sponsored 10km run in Manchester that has netted £360.72 for the appeal’s coffers.

Juliette said: “I would like to thank all my colleagues within the Trust, my family and friends for sponsoring me. Working for the Trust, I know how important it is to have this unit and for it to be up and running as soon as possible. Since the plans for the unit were unveiled and the appeal launched, I have been overwhelmed by the number of staff within the Trust – consultants, doctors, nurses, maintenance, catering and administrative staff – that have come forward with money-raising ideas.”

Once it is complete, the new chemotherapy unit will replace Burnley General Hospital’s current, much smaller chemotherapy suite, which although provides an excellent level of care, has no room to expand or for additional, updated facilities.

In contrast, the new unit has been designed specifically around patients’ needs to ensure a comfortable and relaxing environment to help bring about the most positive treatment outcomes. It will also have the room to treat a greater number of local patients, ending fears that the current suite was becoming too small to meet demand and that some patients would have to be referred to hospitals outside of Burnley for their chemotherapy.

I have been overwhelmed by the number of staff within the Trust – consultants, doctors, nurses, maintenance, catering and administrative staff – that have come forward with money-raising ideas

Juliette Brookfield

Around 4,000 chemotherapy treatments are now delivered annually at Burnley General Hospital, but this is a figure that is increasing each year on year because of improving cancer care and an aging population.

In congratulating Juliette on her run, Rosemere Cancer Foundation East Lancashire fundraising co-ordinator Dan Hill, who is heading the Rosemere Burnley Chemotherapy Unit Appeal, said: “If anyone is signed up to take part in a run, walk or cycle event, please consider doing it for the appeal.

“I have T-shirts, sponsor forms and other items I can give to appeal supporters.” To contact Dan, call 01772 528346. This same number, along with 01772 522913, can be used to make a donation.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation fundraises to bring world class cancer treatment and services to cancer patients throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria via their local hospital and the regional specialist Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston.

It spends the donations it receives on buying equipment and funding research and training that the NHS is unable to fund.

It also works to provide free access to complementary therapies for all those going through treatment and to make the surroundings in which treatment is given more patient-friendly by providing such as intercom systems for radiotherapy suites, portable DVD players and films for patients having chemotherapy plus specialist furniture for patient comfort.